Burma Socialist Programme Party

The Burma Socialist Programme Party (BSPP) was a socialist political party in Burma that was active from 1962 to 1988. The BSPP was founded by Ne Win, and it was the sole political party allowed in Burma during the period of military rule (1964-1988). The party advocated the programme of "the Burmese Way to Socialism", embodying both communist and Buddhist influences. The party rejected parliamentary socialism and social democracy, and it also regarded members of the Communist Party of Burma as "vulgar materialists". In 1971, the BSPP went from a cadre to a mass party, opening itself up to mass membership. All government servants including doctors, teachers, engineer, scientists, nationalized industry managers, and civil administrators were compelled to undergo three-month political indoctrination and basic military training. In 1977, as the result of conflict between the military faction of the BSPP and the ex-communist faction led to the military faction purging leftists and communist sympathizers. In 1988, students in Yangon started an uprising against the BSPP, which had impoverished Burma with its unwise economic programmes. The military killed thousands of protesters, but the "8888 Uprising" forced Ne Win to resign, and new elections were called. The BSPP was succeeded by the National Unity Party of Burma.